Safiotra [Hybridités/Hybridities]
“Safiotra” means “hybrid” in Malagasy. This major solo exhibition by Yinka Shonibare explores the idea of hybridity — the blending of cultural, historical, and material identities. It brings together over 15 years of Shonibare’s sculptures, installations, and textile works that examine the intersections of colonial legacies, globalization, and identity.
Alongside Shonibare’s works, the artist also curated a selection from the Fondation H collection, including African and Afro-descendant artists such as El Anatsui and Zanele Muholi, creating a dialogue across generations and geographies.
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The exhibition Safiotra [Hybridités / Hybridities] will be held at Fondation H in Antananarivo, Madagascar, from April 11, 2025, to February 28, 2026. It is curated and artistically directed by Yinka Shonibare CBE RA and organized by Fondation H.
Exhibition Description
Through Dutch-wax textiles, hybrid masks, and sculptural installations, Shonibare reinterprets European art forms through African aesthetics. The exhibition features major pieces such as: The African Library (2018) – 6,000 books wrapped in Dutch-wax fabric, embossed with names of post-colonial thinkers and leaders. Hybrid Mask Series (2021–2024) – sculptures combining African and European cultural references. Alien Man/Woman on Flying Machine (2011) – works symbolizing the migration of ideas and bodies. The exhibition examines how histories are woven together — neither erased nor pure, but hybrid.
Gallery
